It gave a powerful dose of red and black fruit on the nose and tongue tip. In the middle we found raspberry jam, spice, and pepper in the complexity; without a trace of tannin, nor any burn from the alky. The finish lingered on and on.

We matched it with Mac (Ziti) & Cheese, and peas; with chocolate cake for dessert. It was a very nice 69th birthday dinner.

Popped our 2004 last night. It came in the spring '07 shipment and still listed at $38. Alcohol level: 16%.

It gave black and red raspberries (who can tell the difference?)on the nose and upfront. Gobs of jammy fruit, pepper & spice, were in the complex middle, and the finish lingered seemingly forever. The boldness of the wine absorbed all the heat from the alcohol, but we were a light headed afterward.

We matched it with grilled rib eyes, potato salad, and homemade cole slaw.

We successfully grilled the steaks by the sear and bake (a.k.a. restaurant method) that we have been using inside during the rain. We seared them over the hot coals with cover open; then we added soaked mesquite chips to the fire, and closed the lid. Halfway through cooking, we turned them and put a pat of butter on top of each. Yum, yum; and the wine match was perfect.

Popped the '06 last night. It came with the Spring '09 shipment. The list price is still $38, but the alcohol is down to 15.4% (still a lot). Enjoyed it with the same meal as last year's except the steaks were tenderloins in bacon rasher, grilled over charcoal and mesquite. Wonderful!

2009 Tobin James, French Camp, Zinfandel tonight. This wine always lives up to its name. Tonight we enjoyed it with loin ends Teriyaki, grilled over charcoal and wild cherry chips; brown rice, and sliced tomato and cucumber. The cucumber was the first fruits from our garden in this late season! Yum!